Today we are learning how to defend a PK from a defender’s point of view.
What’s going on?
Little dap!
It’s Jared Montz, former pro and founder of Online Soccer Academy.
Yes, the goalie is the main defender who is blocking a PK, but defenders can be very helpful
if they know what they are doing.
If the goalie makes a save, these defenders want to be the first to the rebound.
This video is geared towards players on the team trying to block the PK, not the goalie.
This advice can of course be applied to the attacking team too.
Key Points!
Key Point One.
Run into the box from a few yards away.
Most players stand on the 18 yard box, they wait for the ref to blow their whistle and
then they charge the box once the shooter kicks it.
Starting from a stand still like this is tough.
Think of a car going 0 to 60 miles an hour.
It takes a few seconds to get going.
If the car is already moving it can get to 60 miles an hour quicker.
You need to be the car already moving.
Start a few feet behind the 18 yard line and as you see the shooter run up to shoot, you
start running into the box.
In theory you should be cruising past the other team waiting on the 18 yard line if
you time it correctly.
Key Point Two.
Have Defenders run from three different angles.
If you are a leader on your team or a coach, coordinate a few players to be designated
runners in the box.
Have one run down the middle to get in front of the shooter and one run to the right and
left of the shooter.
The right and left runners should be running in right near the arc of the 18 yard line.
For the down the middle runner have them start from the right or left arch area, but instead
of running to the side of the PK shooter, have them run right in front of the PK shooter
in case that rebound falls right down the middle and not to the side.
Key Point Three.
Push off opposing player.
When you run by an opposing player standing on the 18 yard box give them a little push
off.
Don’t foul them, just a little nudge that pushes them back and keeps you moving forward.
Key Point Four.
Clear it out!
If your keeper pulls a super hero move and makes a save be the Robin to his Batman and
CLEAR THE BALL OUT!
DO NOT take a second touch in the box, just clear that rebound out for a throw in, if
possible and if not, then a corner.
Yes, if you check your shoulders and see you have time to take a touch and make a pass
because no attackers are around you then do it, but if you didn’t check your shoulders
and you’re not 100% sure you have time just clear it out and play it safe.
Keep it simple in the back.
An exercise to practice is to spend a few minutes at the end of team practice working
on timing.
Have a player take a PK and the 3 designated run up defenders practice their run up from
outside the box in three different locations.
Of course you can have more run up defenders, but I’d suggest having other defenders be
designated blockers on the 18 that will try to disrupt the run of the attacking team without
fouling them.
Do a few reps of this; don’t spend all practice on it.
What’s Wrong!
If your getting called for running in the box too early then you are miss timing your
run.
Make sure you keep an eye on the PK shooter as they approach the ball.
If they do a stutter step, you will need to stutter step your run a bit so you don’t
get in the box too early.
Bonus Tip!
100 percent believe in your mind that your keeper will save the PK and the rebound will
fall to you.
This way when it does you aren’t surprised like “OMG the ball is coming to me!”
Plus the positive mindset will help put the karma gods on your side.
Hope you enjoyed this Online Soccer Academy video!
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